Feb. 10, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nina Truch
(805) 756-5683

Cal Poly Students Host Local Events to Aid Tsunami Relief Effort

SAN LUIS OBISPO –Speech communications students at Cal Poly will host two events in March to raise funds for a local charity to aid tsunami disaster victims in Sri Lanka.

5k Tsunami Fun Run – Community Helping Community, March 5
The Cal Poly speech communications 102.1 class will host the 5k Tsunami Fun Run – Community Helping Community. The 5k fun run is open to the public and includes a barbeque. All fitness levels are welcome.

The event takes place Saturday, March 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Laguna Lake Park at San Luis Obispo. Registration is $21 before Feb. 22 and $25 after. Family discounts are available. Registration forms are available at the VeAhavta office located at 1190 Marsh Street, Suite B, in San Luis Obispo, and at local community centers and businesses. Participants are encouraged to bring children, strollers and dogs to the event. All are welcome.

Representatives from non-profit agencies throughout San Luis Obispo County will display information at the event to educate community members about local volunteer programs.

Woods Humane Society (WHS) will have “dogs for rent” during the event. Participants may rent a dog for the fun run/walk and WHS volunteers will follow to pick up after the dogs and help with any behavior problems.

Helping Hand Poker Tournament March 4
The Cal Poly speech communications 102.2 class will host the Helping Hand Poker Tournament Friday, March, 4, 7 p.m. to midnight, in the Pavillion of the Performing Arts Center. The event is open to Cal Poly students only. Tournament registration is $20 and includes an event T-shirt. Registration dates and times are to be determined and seating is limited.

Proceeds from both events will benefit VeAhavta, a local nonprofit organization founded and directed by Eric Parkinson. VeAhavta (www.you-shall-love.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing charitable assistance to low-income, destitute and displaced persons and to promoting peace, understanding and mutual respect among people of different religions through education.

Speech communication students invite the community to contribute to their efforts by participating in, donating to or sponsoring either of these events.

For more information about these events or to become a donor or sponsor, contact faculty advisor Nina Truch at (805) 756-5683 or ntruch@calpoly.edu.

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